From [email protected] Tue Dec  2 17:59:58 1997
Path: news.isc.org!bounce-back
From: Henry Sievers 
Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,sci.electronics.repair,sci.electronics.components,sci.electronics.basics,sci.electronics.equipment,sci.electronics.misc
Subject: RFD: sci.electronics.repair reorganization
Followup-To: news.groups
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Approved: [email protected]
Archive-Name: sci.electronics.repair-reorg
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 01:53:33 GMT
Lines: 135
Xref: news.isc.org news.announce.newgroups:998

                     REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION (RFD)
            unmoderated group sci.electronics.repair.video
unmoderated group sci.electronics.repair.misc (renames sci.electronics.repair)

Newsgroup lines:
sci.electronics.repair.misc	Repair of other electronic equipment.
sci.electronics.repair.video	Repair of televisions, monitors, and VCRs.

This is a formal Request For Discussion (RFD) for the creation of a
new world-wide unmoderated Usenet newsgroup
sci.electronics.repair.video and the creation of a new newsgroup
sci.electronics.repair.misc to replace the existing newsgroup
sci.electronics.repair. This is not a Call for Votes (CFV); you cannot
vote at this time. Procedural details are below.

RATIONALE: all groups

The newsgroup sci.electronics.repair has become increasingly popular
among electronic technicians and the general internet users. A recent
survey shows that the posting volume running between 100 and 200 daily
with electronic devices from A (antique radios) to Z (Zip drives)
being represented

This large volume of posts makes it difficult to locate posts of
particular interest. Several posters have suggested the establishment
of a mailing list for those primarily interested in computer monitor
repair and others want to start a VCR mailing list, to solve the
searching problem. Mailing lists, however have several disadvantages,
including the difficulty of establishing and maintaining the lists,
inefficient use of internet bandwidth if queries and replies are sent
to all on the list, and the lack of potentially useful information to
the group if a response is sent only to the person making a query.

To help alleviate the problems caused by the present large posting
volume, a subdivision of the group is proposed. From previous
discussions in the group, some would like to see a group devoted
exclusively to their own particular interest(s), but the large variety
of interests of those using the group makes this impractical. Some are
opposed to any subdivision because they like to browse the entire
group for interesting electronic concepts. But there should be little
inconvenience associated with subdivision into a small number of
groups, since, with most internet service providers, groups can be
displayed sequentially and browsing can easily continue from one group
to the other.

 From the survey previously mentioned, it appears that posts concerning
televisions, computer monitors, and VCRs are about equally numerous
and collectively constitute about half of the total.  Thus, creating a
subgroup for these popular devices would greatly enhance the usability
of the group for this large proportion of users. Further subdivision
to give each of these devices their individual subgroup is attractive
to some, but not to others who are interested in the repair of more
than one type of electronic equipment and the possible application of
ideas to more than one type of equipment. .

These three have much similar circuitry and repair problems, so it
probably is reasonable to group them into one subgroup. The name
sci.electronics.repair. video is proposed for this group. The
newsgroup sci.electronics.repair would then be available for those
interested in the repair of other electronic devices, and would be
renamed to sci.electronics.repair.misc to reflect its new content.

CHARTER: sci.electronics.repair.video

Sci.electronics.repair.video is an unmoderated group for the
discussion of repairing televisions, computer monitors and VCRs, only.

END CHARTER.

CHARTER: sci.electronics.repair.misc

Sci.electronics.repair.misc is an unmoderated group for the discussion
of repairing miscellaneous electronic equipment of all kinds, except
the video equipment included in sci.electronics.repair.video
(televisions, monitors and VCRs)

END CHARTER.

CHARTER: all groups

Sci.electronics.repair.videeo and sci.electronics.misc are devoted
exclusively to the discussion of repair of electronics
equipment. Queries and responses are welcomed from both those
inexperienced in electronic repair and from experienced electronic
technicians. Topics include requests for assistance, and techniques
for diagnosis and repair. Requests for assistance must include the
manufacturer, and model number of the device being worked on, along
with the results of any troubleshooting efforts and measurements.

Identification, cross reference and sources of component parts are
part of the charter of sci.electronics.components. and such queries
should be posted there.  Similarly, posts concerning test equipment,
other than the repair thereof, should be sent to
sci.electronics.equipment. Advertisements and discussion for buying,
selling and bartering of electronic components, electronic test
equipment and services should be posted to
misc.industry.electronics.marketplace, and not to these groups.

Cross-posting to these groups is strongly discouraged, unless the
topic overlaps the intended content of more than one
newsgroup. Multiple postings (SPAM) are not allowed. Criticism of a
poster''s english, spelling or intelligence, personal insults, obscene
or derogatory language have no place in this group.

In the absence of a moderator to enforce these rules, it is the
obligation of all posters to do so themselves.

END CHARTER.

PROCEDURE:

This is a request for discussion, not a call for votes. In this phase
of the procedure, any potential problems with the proposed newsgroups
should be raised and resolved. The discussion period will continue for
a minimum of 21 days (starting from when this first RFD for this
proposal is posted to news.announce.newgroups), after which a Call for
Votes (CFV) may be posted by a neutral vote taker if the discussion
warrants it. Please do not attempt to vote until this happens.

All discussion of this proposal should be posted to news.groups.

This RFD attepts to comply fully with the Usenet newsgroup creation
guidelines outlined in "How to Create a New Usenet Newsgroup" and "how
to Format and Submit a New Group Proposal". Please refer to these
documents (available in news.announce.newgroups) if you have any
questions about the process.

DISTRIBUTION:

Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups, news.groups, sci.electronics.repair,
sci.electronics.components, sci.electronics.basics,
sci.electronics.equipment,
sci.electronics.misc.

Proponent:  Henry E Sievers [email protected]